The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-10-27
The Republicans Are Trying 10
Pose as Political Saints.

ln0 hepubllCuu OIIlc OOlllillJlSC
has issued leaflet containing u list of
the great deeds done by the party,
presumably unaided and alone. The
following are, perhaps, the most con-
spicuous and Brilliant
1t subdued the Rebellion and saved
the Union.
1t raised the nation from bankrupt
cy, and secured for our public credit
the faith of the financial world.
1t has practically given each citizen
n free home by securing the public
domain from the monopoly OF capital,
1t has made competency II condI-
ton Of appointment to Office and lidel.
ity to duty the tenure of holding it,
These are only samples Of large
line of heroic measures which const-
tute the republican demand for an
other lease of power. 1t will be seen
at casual glance that the party is
composed Of all the professional saints
in population of something over six
ty million people. They regard them
selves as the only authorized agents
for the importation Of political virtue
from the New Jerusalem, and have
formed Combine" to hold the arti-
Gle for rise OF the market.
If we look a little closely at the facts,
however, we find that these republi-
cans have not clear title to their
claim. They have the convenient fac
ulty of forgetfulness, and, while vlv-
idly recalling certain parts OF the evil
dence, utterly "disremember" other
parts equally important. For exam
pie, when they declare that they have
practically given each citizen free
home by securing the public domain
from the monopoly of capital" we re-
cali Baron Munchausen, who had the
habit OF extolling himself for heroic
achievements which were all in his
eye. The cold, unflinching records o
history show that the republican party
has uniformly played into the hands
OF the monopoly Of capital and de
liberately cheated nearly amillion'anC
a half OF our citizens out Of farms o
one hundred and sixty acres each b,
giving over two hundred million acre
OF the public domain to big corpor,
tions, cattle syndcates, land specula
tors and aliens.
As to making competency condi
ton OF appointment to Office and lide'
ity to duty the tenure for holding it,
we rise to remark that civil seryic
reform properly administered keeps
faithful servant of the pubic in Off
regardless of his politics, but that %
the advent Of IA democratic administr;
ton and wheu the books were locke
over it was found that democrats hole
ing even minor offices were as scare
rs hens teeth. With the rarest excel
tions every position within the gift
the government was held 10y Il repu
lican partisan, whose salary was asses
ed for political purposes and who.
position was used as center Ol poll
ical influence
Well, let the republicans go ahe;
on their own line. They know viii
they can do best, and since it is boas
ing, why, let them boast to the
hearts content. This is a free cou
try, and if they can persuade the pc
pie to think as much Of them rs tn,
seem to think OF themselves, all rigi
Ours is government OF the peop
for the people and by the people, al
no one can deny that the people n
king.
The democrats will probably best
themselves, too, and the tourname
of 1888 will be woah looking at T.
fight this autumn will not amount
much more than skirmish, but nc
year it will he pitched battle. The
is very little interest in the State eli
tions, and their results will not Ina
any perceptible influence on the po,
next year. This is an offy"ar, and
such time people never brace |
but are laggard and Indifferent I
sides, the nominees are all fairly go(
and we need not worry much whet
er the one party wins or the other.
But some one asks, If the reput
cans elect their candidates in Move
ber aren't you afraid that the presti
of victory will enable them to I
their President in. 1888? Not a pal
Gle, and we will tell you why. I
Herald believes in the people-that
the rank and file. They know m,
than the machine leaders think II
do. They are not easily wheeled, a
next year they will have their e
wide open to the issues at stake I
republicans have no principles
fight for, or if they have they cone
them very successfully. What
country needs and must have ifit i,
be prosperous is an administrat
that represents the whole Repul
from Maine to the Pacific and fl
the lakes to the Gulf Now, the
publican party never has done Il
1t was not born to do it 1t is css